Monthly Archives: April 2010

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Kilauea, on Hawaii’s Big Island is the world’s most active volcano. Nature reveals what happens when lava pours into the ocean and creates new land at 7 p.m. Sunday.

A wave of crime has swept across England on Masterpiece Mystery at 8 p.m. Sunday. Foyle stumbles upon an international cover up that could reveal the darkest secrets of The War Office and bring down the British government.

Roads to Memphis: American Experience tells the fatefully entwined stories of assassin James Earl Ray, and his target, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., against the backdrop of the turbulent forces in American society that led these two men to their collision on Monday at 8 p.m.

American Stamps is a documentary about the designers and artists who create our postage stamps at 9:30 p.m. Monday.

Independent Lens “Lost Souls (Animas Perdidas)” explores national identity, the lives of immigrants and what happens after deportees are sent to a homeland they no longer consider home at 10 p.m. Monday.

When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, every living thing in the blast zone was buried beneath 300 feet of avalanche debris. Now NOVA is documenting the dramatic return of plant and animal life to the barren landscape, as well as, the interaction between geologic forces and the life surrounding the mountain at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Frontline follows the money to uncover how Wall Street and a new breed of for-profit universities are transforming the way we think about college in America at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

In 1975 rural Texas, a mayor’s daughter gets pregnant and decides to have her baby in secret and a hidden adoption. Twenty-three years later, the adopted child also has an unplanned baby out of wedlock. “Sunshine” tells the story of this second-generation single mother and her struggle with the idea of family on Independent Lens at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Secrets of the Dead: Japanese SuperSub investigates the startling story of Japan’s successful creation of a technological masterpiece—an aircraft carrier submarine that could blow up the Panama Canal, reach the U.S. mainland undetected, and unleash panic-inducing air attacks on American civilians at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Three masters of the concert stage — Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax — play Mendelssohn and more in the chamber setting of Lincoln Center’s living room on Live From Lincoln Center at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Paseo Del Arte at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday takes a look at the newest development to the Riverwalk that features art installations from local artists, a lock and dam systerm and flows right past the renovated Pearl Brewery and San Antonio Museum of Art.

Hard-rocking roots music storytellers Drive-By Truckers hit the Austin City Limits stage in support of their album Brighter Than Creation’s Dark. Dusty Texas troubadour Ryan Bingham follows with tunes from his latest record, Mescalito at 10 p.m. Wednesday and 9 p.m. Friday.

Sportswriter Frank Deford talks about his career and the big news in the sports world with Texas Monthly Talks host Evan Smith 7 p.m. Thursday.

Downtown Austin is becoming one of the best places for the film industry. Follow a locations manager on the job for an inside look on Downtown. Next, experience the vision of the Second Street Retail District and Downtown’s Retail Renaissance from the Visionaries themselves at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Luciano Pavarotti was the rare artist who could easily bridge the divide between classical and popular music. Pavarotti – The Duets is a compilation of his most emotional and world-famous songs at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Marty Robbins – Seems Like Yesterday takes audiences back to a time of familiar music and nostalgic memories through full performances of Robbins’ most memorable and recognizable hits at 9 p.m. Thursday.

French and Spanish singer/songwriter and international star Manu Chao showcases politically charged, danceable rock ‘n’ roll from his album La Radiolina on Austin City Limits at 7 p.m. Saturday.

KLRU and Reel Women present a screening and discussion of Austin filmmaker Karen Skloss’ new documentary Sunshine. The event begins at 8 p.m. with a behind-the-scenes discussion featuring Skloss and key producing, shooting and design crew members as well as the single parents who participated in the film. Following the discussion, KLRU will host a screening of the Independent Lens television debut of Sunshine at 9 p.m. RSVP now

In the special 90-minute finale, Bill Moyers Journal will feature two main facets of his wide-ranging journalism: a report on people working for change and a “World of Ideas”
conversation with a leading public thinker.

With Moyer’s retirement comes a new public affairs program on Friday nights. Need to Know will cover five primary news beats: the economy; the environment and energy; health; national security; and culture.Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and Newsweek editor Jon Meacham will co-anchor Need to Know, which will debut nationally on May 7th. Meacham recently taped an episode of KLRU’s Texas Monthly Talks. To watch that complete episode or to learn more go to klru.org/texasmonthlytalks

Nature tells the story of the first year of a humpback whale’s life as she learns the lessons of humpback life from her mother at 7 p.m. Sunday.

Masterpiece Classic tells the saga of two couples whose lives intertwine in both friendship and tragic misunderstanding in post-World-War-II Britain at 8 p.m. Sunday. Part 2 of 2.

What drove a company of American soldiers—ordinary young men from around the country deployed to liberate a small foreign nation from an oppressive neighbor — to dehumanize and murder more than 300 unarmed civilians? Find out at 8 p.m. Monday on My Lai: American Experience.

The pilot episode of Haunted Texas at 9:30 p.m. Monday is a half-hour real life adventure that uses in-depth historical research along with technology to explore the unexplained from the past to the present.

Second Life is an online phenomenon – a virtual world that has millions of people around the globe living out their fantasy lives on the Internet. Ideal World follows the fascinating development of the Web site, from its humble origins to the global phenomenon it has become at 10 p.m. Monday.

In the face of the recent crash, can a new science that aims to incorporate human psychology into finance—behavioral economics—do better? NOVA exposes the mysterious and surprising nature of the two most powerful forces on our planet: the human mind and money at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Public health scientists and clinicians tout vaccines as one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine, but some advocacy groups view vaccines as responsible for rises in certain disorders. This is the vaccine war, taking place on the Internet with both sides using the latest social media tools to win the hearts and minds of the public. Learn more on Frontline: The Vaccine War at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Shakespeare’s tortured Danish prince receives a contemporary spin on Great Performances: Hamlet in this critically acclaimed production from the Royal Shakespeare Company at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Austin City Limits veterans and country music legends Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel join forces onstage in celebration of their collaborative LP, Willie and the Wheel at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and 9 p.m. Friday.

Tune into Texas Monthly Talks as host Evan Smith sits down to talk with Jake Silverstein at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Learn the story of Whole Foods and why John Mackey felt it essential t o keep his corporate headquarters and flagship store in Austin on Downtown at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Choreographed by Stephen Mills, Ballet Austin’s Truth & Beauty/The Bach Project utilizes music both composed and inspired by J.S. Bach for a dance work that includes a variety of movement styles and interactive media. In Context: Ballet Austin’s Truth & Beauty/The Bach Project is the third special in the In Context art series and airs at 8 p.m. Thursday.

On Wednesday we told you about KLRU’s partnership with NewsHour Student Reporting Labs and shared one of their packages. I had the opportunity to visit these students and mentors in action, here’s my report. – Sara

My first impression of the Austin High School media studio was jealousy. Large screen Macs lined the walls and around the corner I spotted edit suites, a voice-over booth, control room and even a news set. Gil Garcia, Digital Filmmaking Instructor at AHS, told me much of the equipment is part of the schools Career and Technical Education program. Kids involved with CTE can receive certification in different areas of television production, such as Final Cut Pro.

The students participating in the Student Reporting Lab won’t get graded on their work however, this is currently an extracurricular activity that takes place during their lunch hour. Mentors Lynn Boswell, producer of KLRU’s Texas Monthly Talks, and Erika Aguilar, KUT reporter, volunteer on their own time to help these kids and today they even provided pizza. Over the short lunch period I observed Lynn and Erika work with the students on choosing sound bites, story angles and the importance of logging interviews. It was energizing to see the collaboration between the news pros and news newbies and the kids really seemed to appreciate the guidance. One thing is for sure, as the production process of reporting changes nothing will replace helpful advice from a mentor.

Videography by Sara Robertson & Eve Tarlo. Editing by Eve Tarlo.

Sara Robertson is the Director of On-Air Marketing at KLRU and in her day used S-VHS and Video Toaster to produce high school morning announcements.

KLRU is pleased to announce that it received a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support production of its In Context arts specials. In Context captures Austin’s creative community at its best. The grant allows for the production of eight 30-minutes episodes. Each episode consists of three segments and each segment will focus on a technique, a specific medium, an artist, or a body of work. Collectively, the three segments will present a diverse representation of the creative process at its most inspiring. For more information on the grant go to:

KLRU is participating in a pilot program for students around the country to create their own NewsHour Reports to be shared on NewsHour Extra (the student and teacher web site of the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer). The program, called Student Reporting Labs, teams up individual classrooms with local area journalists, and the national NewsHour Team.

In Austin, KLRU is the sponsoring station for these students and KUT is helping to mentor them. This year we are working with students from Academy for Global Studies and the Media Lab at Austin High School.

Check out Austin High School students Joanne Troutner and Lee Mendez’s report on climate change on the NewsHour Extra site.

KLRU is proud to present Ballet Austin performing Stephen Mill’s Truth & Beauty: The Bach Project at 8:00 PM on Thursday, April 29. This performance is part of KLRU’s InCONTEXT Arts Series, showcasing the depth and breadth of creativity across our community.

Local production of InCONTEXT is made possible by the generous support of The Kodosky Foundation, Hyde Park Bar and Grill, the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin, and, as always, the generous support of members of KLRU. This is a great example of the depth and breadth of support KLRU receives: a foundation, a locally owned business, a local government entity and members. A winning combination for Austin and Central Texas!

KLRU continues the station’s commitment to showcasing the arts in Central Texas with a special presentation of Ballet Austin’s Truth & Beauty/The Bach Project. Recorded in February at The Long Center, IN CONTEXT will showcase this contemporary dance work at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 29, on KLRU. The show will air again in May dates and times to be determined.

Choreographed by Stephen Mills, Ballet Austin’s Truth & Beauty/The Bach Project utilizes music both composed and inspired by J.S. Bach for a dance work that includes a variety of sensual movement styles with live accompaniment by The Austin Chamber Music Center, Dr. Michelle Schumann (solo and with ensembles) and Graham Reynolds.

“This project was of special interest because so many local artists came together to make something beautiful,” said Bill Stotesbery, CEO of KLRU. “KLRU got to capture not only Stephen Mill’s original choreography but also the music of Graham Reynolds and the Austin Chamber Music Center. All these layers of artistry in one production is a testament to Austin’s creativity.”more →